ABSTRACT
This chapter presents case studies of existing shifting cultivation systems in Nagaland, in northeast India, and how they could be improved to adapt to climate change. One of the issues that is raised periodically in discussions concerning care for the environment is the role of traditional agricultural systems, and in particular, shifting cultivation, known locally as jhum and the threat it poses to sustainability, particularly of forests. One of the misconceptions about jhum is that, it converts primary forest to agricultural land, and it cumulatively reduces the forest cover and its environmental threats extend as far as loss of biodiversity. Good forest cover in upstream catchments protects downstream areas that may be threatened by water erosion of soil, landslides and siltation. In the present scenario of frequent extreme weather events and erratic seasons, the rich agro-biodiversity of jhum cultivation ensures food security for farming families.
